Glass Wings Blog

The Glass Wings mailing list and blog is for general idle chit-chat about things we find interesting, especially humor, animation or other subjects relevant to the Glass Wings web site.

Colin Hay ‘strenuously disapproves’ use of Down Under at March for Australia rallies

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:33:01 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jan/22/land-down-under-music-march-for-australia-rallies>

"Former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay has disavowed the use of the band’s 80s
anthem Down Under by Australian anti-immigration protesters, saying the song
“does not belong to those who attempt to sow xenophobia”.

NZ is again being soaked this summer – record ocean heat helps explain it

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:31:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/nz-is-again-being-soaked-this-summer-record-ocean-heat-helps-explain-it-274013>

"For many people this summer – especially those across Northland Auckland and
Coromandel – showery days and bursts of heavy rain have become all too
familiar.

Middle powers assemble? Trump disorder prompts talk of new liberal alliances

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:31:06 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/21/trump-disorder-prompts-talk-liberal-alliances-mark-carney>

"Donald Trump has told the Davos economic forum “without us, most countries
would not even work”, but for the first time in decades, many western leaders
have come to the opposite conclusion: they will function better without the US.

Trump wants to send troops into Mexico. The land grab of the Mexican-American War makes this ‘politically untenable’

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:28:54 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/trump-wants-to-send-troops-into-mexico-the-land-grab-of-the-mexican-american-war-makes-this-politically-untenable-273767>

"After the United States government celebrated the capture of Nicolás Maduro in
Venezuela, President Donald Trump issued warnings about what might come next.
“Something will have to be done about Mexico,” he said. “American dominance in

The IMF’s banal language is sane-washing an economic crisis created by the egomaniacal Donald Trump

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:28:00 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/22/the-imfs-banal-language-is-sane-washing-an-economic-crisis-created-by-the-egomaniacal-donald-trump>

"This week the IMF released an update to its World Economic Outlook, titled
“Global Economy: Steady amid Divergent Forces” and, seriously, in what fricking
world are they living? It was yet another example of international groups,

New study sheds light on the threat of ‘marine darkwaves’ to ocean life

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:24:50 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/new-study-sheds-light-on-the-threat-of-marine-darkwaves-to-ocean-life-273225>

"Life in the ocean runs on light. It fuels photosynthesis, shapes food webs and
determines where many marine species can live.

Fabric-like exoskeleton made possible by Samsung donation giving people new strength

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:20:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-01-18/national/socialAffairs/Fabriclike-exoskeleton-made-possible-by-Samsung-donation-giving-people-new-strength/2501032>

"The fabric is worn like clothing. However, unlike clothing, it allows the
wearer to lift up to 15 kilograms (33 pounds). For teenagers with rare muscle
disorders, this fabric could mean the difference between relying on constant

Bearing witness after the witnesses are gone: How to bring Holocaust education home for a new generation

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:18:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/bearing-witness-after-the-witnesses-are-gone-how-to-bring-holocaust-education-home-for-a-new-generation-272491>

"Joe Engel was and remains an icon in Charleston, South Carolina. Born in
Zakroczym, Poland, he survived Auschwitz and several other concentration camps
and fought with the resistance before landing on American shores as a refugee

Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and national security

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:17:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0eae719d837d69afc7de/National_security_assessment_-_global_biodiversity_loss__ecosystem_collapse_and_national_security.pdf>

"The UK gov has today published the Joint Intelligence Committee report,
presented at COBRA, called “Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and
national security”.

Australians to perform acts of kindness on national day of mourning for Bondi terror attack victims

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:14:52 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/22/australians-to-perform-acts-of-kindness-on-national-day-of-mourning-for-bondi-terror-attack-victims-ntwnfb>

"Thousands of Australians are expected to perform acts of kindness on Thursday
to commemorate the victims of last month’s Bondi terror attack, as the Jewish
tradition of mitzvah spreads across faiths and backgrounds.